Improvement in dredge-buckets



J. McSPIRIT. 'DREDGE-B'UCKET.

No. 193,172. Patented July 17, 1877 N-PETERS. FHOTOLITHOGRAPHER.WASHINGTON a c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES MOSPIRIT, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN DREDGE-BUCKETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 193, 172, dated July17, 1877 application filed June 4, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES MOSPIRIT, of Jersey City, in the county ofHudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Operating Dredge Buckets and Grapples, of which thefollowing is a specification:

Figure 1 is aside elevation in section of my improved apparatus, showingthe dredgebuckets closed. Fig. 2 is asiinilar view, representing thebuckets open. Fig. 3 is a side elevation.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of my invention is to provide a device for operating dredgebuckets and grapples by means of levers and connecting-rods, and todispense with the usual Windlass and other objectionable devices.

In the drawings, A A-are halves of the dredge-buckets, of the usualform, which are hinged to the frame B and to each other, and (J is aforked lever which turns on the crossbar a of the frame B, and isprovided with the cross-bar D, upon which is placedasheave,

which is prevented from turning by arms I), that are attached to it andt0 the bar a.

The branches of the lever G are nearly triangular in form,and to themconnecting-rods c are pivoted, which are also pivoted to the sides ofthe part A of the dredge-bucket.

To each of the branches of the lever O a plate, E, is attached, by meansof the bolt 01, and is separated from the lever by a washer having athickness a little greater than that of the connecting-rods c.

This plate is further secured by the bolt that forms thepivotof the rod0, and it swings on the bar a with the lever O. A connectingrod, 6, ispivoted to the lever G, and also to the part A of the bucket.

This arrangement of the lever and connect ing-rod forms a pair oftoggle-joints for each half of the bucket, which are capable of forcingthem together against great resistance.

A roller, F, is journaled in the upper part of the frame for guiding thechains that 0perate the buckets.

A chain, G, is attached to the sheave f, and winds partly around it whenthe buckets are closed, and extends upward to the crane that supportsthe buckets, and a chain, H, is attached to the upper end of the leverO, and passes under the. roller F and upward to the crane beforementioned.

The buckets are closed by drawing the chain H, and are opened by drawingthe chain G; and the chain H is mainly used in raising the buckets,while the chain G is employed to lower them.

,It is obvious that the levers and devices described in connection withdredge-buckets may be employed with equal advantage to operate grapples.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- The combination of pivoted dredge-buckethalves A A, operating chains G H, rods 0 0, plates E, and lever U, asshown and described, for the purpose specified.

, JAMES MGSPIRIT.

Witnesses G. SEDGWICK, ALEX. F. ROBERTS.

